Well, I didn’t make it to the theater for Young Washington. I had some time constraints — including a cool Frontier Partisans-related thing that I can’t talk about yet, which had a tight turnaround. That was a priority, along with work demands and obligations on one of Sisters’ biggest event weekends.
Truth is though, if I had really wanted to get there, I could have made it happen. I just didn’t. I’ve seen enough clips and read enough from historians I respect to realize that I was not going to enjoy the film, and I just didn’t want to invest the time and plews for the sake of “field work.”
You folks at the campfire know that I try to avoid being a pedantic bastard, pointing out everything a historical show or movie gets wrong. If a piece gives me “reckless verisimilitude” that keeps me immersed in a believable fantasy version of the history, I’ll roll with it. I didn’t figure Young Washington was going to clear that bar.
There are some horrible mistakes in the material culture — the clothing in particular. As one who worked both behind the scenes and as an extra in The Last of the Mohicans and the History Channel’s Frontier: Legends of the Old Northwest, I say with some conviction that most of those flaws could have been avoided at no additional cost just by consulting with and listening to the right people. Consulting with and listening to! I think the biggest complaint I have heard, and which I fully agree with, is the way Christopher Gist was portrayed as basically a backwoods buffoon who was killed at Fort Necessity. He was one of the most accomplished and respected frontiersmen of his day, and he definitely DID NOT die at Fort Necessity. There was absolutely NO excuse for letting a percussion musket appear clearly in a closeup scene!
It was the mauling of Gist’s character, which several have mentioned, that determined me to give this one a skip.
Christopher Gist and the Half King, portrayed by John Buxton.
For all that, Todish does not condemn the film and concurs with Zaboly’s view that it may act as a flint and steel to spark deeper interest. That seems to be the consensus among those versed in frontier history of the colonial era.
And the mere fact that a low-budget historical movie set in the French & Indian War outperformed yet one more superhero movie is cause for celebration.
Historian Brady Crytzer, for whom I have great respect, argues that we should not gatekeep the movie to death — its success will lead some of its audience to more deeply explore the subject matter, and more folks interested in the French & Indian War colonial frontier is good for all of us.
Fair enough. Movies and TV shows — flawed as they may be, are the main gateway for most of us into new (to us) historical territories. As Crytzer said, better to be a welcoming party.
I accept that argument. My own Frontier Partisan journey began when I was just a little kid, besotted with Disney’s Davy Crockett, which was hardly accurate in material culture or history.
So… I won’t discourage anyone from going to see the movie and enjoying it for what it is. But I don’t regret skipping it, either.
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Speaking of Todish…
My copy of Gary Zaboly’s The Bushfighters is slowly wending its way from the Fort Plain Museum book shop. It’s Volume II in a Ranger history trilogy the pair have worked on for years (Volume I focuses on Rogers Rangers). Todish gave a glimpse of the content of Volume III:
Volume III is one I am really waiting for. It will cover documented 18th century wilderness camping and survival skills that Gary has come across during his many years of study.
Oh, HELL yes.
Andrew L. says
Jim, I am glad you had the same thoughts as me. The lapels on Washington’s coat for example do not even look real, it seems to be one whole coat. And it is my (poor) understanding that he would have been wearing the blue uniform of his Virginia Regiment (of which we have a painting!) during the French and Indian war, not whatever red uniform he has.
I won’t ramble about the lack of bayonets either, let alone the superhero-esque battle scenes and the absolutely shocking portrayal of the natives… chains and Viking-esque axes?? And the director has admitted the use of AI in the film.
Anyways – enough moaning from me. I just think a film can and should be both historically accurate and good, it’s respectful of our history. I look forward to your next article!
deuce says
My advice: Do NOT go and see Nolan’s FRAUDyssey.
Stanley Wheeler says
I did see he movie on July 4 and, while being offput at certain details, I enjoyed the presentation and applaud the effort. We need more films celebrating and educating about our history and the founders. Some inaccurate clothing choices, an inccurate musket, and other details are lamentable but minor. The movie is a giant step in the right direction. Those who aren’t already educated about the times and events won’t even notice most of what bothers the buffs. Celebrate and recommend it lest we get more ridiculous superhero and social engineering movies instead.
JimC says
Thank you Stanley. That’s pretty much where Crytzer comes down, too.
Ugly Hombre says
I saw “Young Washington” and liked it- theatre was full mostly old buzzards but quite a few young folks as well. Well done but it was not a big budget production and it showed no tomahawks and the horror! I thought I saw a percussion lock musket laying in the dirt. lol. Like in “Old Henry” where a angle eject 94 showed up. ha ha!
Really tired of revisionist woke movies so it was Ok for me- hope they make some more and continue the story the film looks like it will make money.
Love movies had not been to a theatre to see one for a long time. I hope Hollywood will knock the woke off their Italian Loafers and HTFU and start making some good action movies again. What’s the odds? Not good?
Like Rambo V- as I said it shulda won a Oscar! Alas! never will such a film have a chance again since the word has come down from on high that Irish Travelers will have to have parts in the upcoming soon to be released remake of “Zulu”. And all new Oscar contenders.
Bah!
JimC says
Here’s hoping that this success will lead to more and better.
deuce says
Indeed.